Dear Fellow Players,
    Welcome to our newsletter. I think it's safe to say that the guitar is probably the most popular of all instruments, but the least seriously played. It’s fun, adaptable, portable and reasonably easy to get started on. That’s my kind of instrument! Unfortunately, it's these great attributes that lead to so many of the problems encountered by the players who we see on our weekends here in the Lakes.

      

      It's so easy to just pick it up and widdle about. We just play licks and parts of tunes that interest us. The strumming rhythm always seems the same as the last song that we played, and so not very distinctive. We don’t hold the thing properly, or get our fingering right and have a total lack of understanding of any theory behind the playing. Well it’s not surprising really, what with work and family having the priority, not to mention other hobbies. And it’s not easy finding other like-minded sociable folk to play with when you want to play.

      

       These are just some of the problems encountered by players who come on our weekends. Players who are generally self-taught and practice, or should I say "widdle away", on their own. A lot of this practice will be using the 'wrong' fingering or rhythm. Technique isn’t quite right, or perhaps bends don’t quite reach the right pitch. All of this is rehearsed quite regularly, but instead of "practise making perfect", it just ends up putting all the bad habits permanently into the old 'muscle memory'. That’s why a lot of people who have been playing for 20 or 30 years find it very difficult to get off that psychological plateau they have reached. It’s difficult to break away from this routine. Even more difficult, the longer you have played. So, what’s the answer?
    

       Well, first of all you have to find out the 'right way to play' that best suits you. Then gradually adapt your playing techniques with different practice routines. The keyword here is gradually, or you'll put yourself off playing altogether. You must believe in yourself and your ability to play better, given the right information and a willingness to change. Remember also, you must have fun or the whole thing is just not worthwhile. Everybody who comes on our weekends here plays the guitar and gets a great amount of enjoyment from it. It’s only technique and a lack of easily learnt knowledge that limits your improvement. Honestly.

       Our most popular weekends here are the Strugglers'/Beginners' Weekend with Lin Flanagan and the Blues Weekend with Rod Sinclair. On the Strugglers' we have a 'back to basics' approach to give you the information and motivation to help you greatly improve you guitar playing.

   

If you want to talk to me ring 01931 713241.

If you want it as a present for a loved one you can get a congratul;ations letter to give for Xmas or a birthday.

Full selection of weekends starts again in March 2006